Ancelotti talks Vinicius, Ceballos, Arsenal, future ahead of Alaves vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Following back-to-back defeats over the past week, Real Madrid will be gunning to get back to winning ways when they take on Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Sunday evening.

The Merengues are already four points behind leaders Barcelona in the table and the gap could widen to seven points with Hansi Flick’s men in action against Leganes tonight.

As such, another slip-up in Vitoria tomorrow would likely see Real Madrid kiss goodbye to any slim hopes of retaining their league title.

Furthermore, it is also important that the team generate some momentum heading into the do-or-die UEFA Champions League encounter against Arsenal next week.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, under an intense amount of pressure after the recent results, faced the media earlier today in the pre-match press conference, giving an insight into the morale of the dressing room among other things.

“Everyone is thinking about Wednesday, but everything depends on tomorrow’s performance. Because we are still in the fight for the league. We need to play well and win,” said Ancelotti, to kick things off.

On being asked whether the talk in the dressing room is also about Wednesday’s clash against Arsenal, the Italian replied:

“No, but rather about playing a good game tomorrow. Trying to win, because it’s essential to get back to our good feelings.”

Talking about how he and the team are dealing with the recent losses, the manager explained:

“Every defeat is always the same: when you lose, it’s a difficult time. You have to think about how to bounce back. You have to concentrate.

“But, fortunately, football is like that… after a defeat, there comes an opportunity. The team has trained very well and is focused.”

Amid speculations about his future, Ancelotti was asked if the club still supported him to which he replied:

“I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear. Whatever it is, it will be discussed at the end of the season. The club always supports me, especially in difficult moments.”

One of the major talking points this week has been the difference in the distance run by Real Madrid compared to Arsenal during the 3-0 loss at the Emirates.

“The statistics are very clear: we have run less than our opponents. But, in this sense, it didn’t affect us. We could have done more, but it’s not just this,” Ancelotti remarked on the matter.

Under pressure. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

On being asked if there is something he can do to make the players run more on the pitch, the manager stated:

“It all depends on the characteristics of the players. But this has happened in previous years. Distance talks a lot about total distance, but not sprint distance. In total, we have always run less. And despite that, we have won two Champions League titles.

“Against Arsenal we did less in all aspects, total distance, sprint numbers… everything. They worked harder.”

Despite Real Madrid’s history of pulling off unlikely comebacks, especially in the Champions League, there has been pessimism about a ‘remontada’ against Arsenal. But, Ancelotti insisted that the team will never stop trying, as he said:

“I don’t know, we’ll try, we’ll try. The truth is that Real Madrid is the only one that has done it many times. We will try until the last minute. Until the last ball. Starting tomorrow.”

On what makes Real Madrid believe in the possibility of a comeback, the head coach said: “That we have the resources to try.”

Ancelotti then went on to confirm that midfielder Dani Ceballos will be available for the trip to Vitoria tomorrow, saying:

“He is available for tomorrow and, obviously, for Wednesday.”

One of the major concerns for Real Madrid heading into the final phase of the season is the slump that key forward Vinicius Jr. is going through. When asked to explain the reasons behind the Brazilian struggles, Ancelotti noted:

“It’s difficult to say. Especially in the last few weeks we’ve seen a general slump, not just in individual players. We’ve conceded a lot in the last few games and that’s where we need to put the brakes on. Above all, when those up top aren’t as effective as usual.”

Finally, Ancelotti commented on the La Liga schedule and the fact that Real Madrid are the only team from the eight UCL quarter-finalists who will be playing on Sunday in their league before next week’s European games.

“But that’s the way it is. This season has been like that… it’s not understandable but, the truth is that we have more than 72 hours of rest. So we can’t complain,” he concluded.

Source: AS